PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. --- The Bethel Softball team (1-3) split their first road doubleheader with the Trinity Christian Trolls (2-4) on Wednesday night, 6-4 and 4-3, with a spark of offense throughout the day.
GAME 1
The Trolls struck first in the bottom of the second with an RBI single by Alana Buchanan, which drove in Peyton Lowden, but Bethel answered back with a grand slam by the freshman Madison Shaw to climb to 4-1.
The fifth inning was significant for the Trolls with a five-run inning with an RBI single to center field by Jolie Robertson, followed by three runs plated by Alex Hofman's three-RBI double to center field and Charlie Sartoris' RBI single to center to seal the 6-4 game one victory for the Trolls.
Harmony Looney threw 3.2 innings in her second start and allowed nine hits and six earned runs, then Leeah Wade threw 2.1 innings in her second appearance in relief, only allowing one hit, one walk, and one strikeout.
GAME 2
It was a pitching duel through the first four innings between Bethel's Ryann Norris and Trinity Christian's Katie Lorscheider.
Mackenzie Navarrete broke the ice in the top of the fifth with an error by the shortstop, which caused two runs to score, 2-0 Pilots.
The Trolls answered in the bottom of the fifth with a three-RBI double by Giulia Cianfriglia, but Bethel took back the lead in the top of the sixth with a two-RBI single by Navarrete to give the Pilots their first win of the season.
Norris (1-1) threw her second complete game and allowed nine hits on three earned runs and four punchouts in her first win of the season.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots travel to Melbourne, Fl. for a 10-game slate starting Monday, Mar. 4 at 10 a.m. against Siena Heights (Mich.) and Lawrence Tech (Mich.) at 12:15 p.m.
For the latest information on each of Bethel University's 31 intercollegiate athletic teams, visit BUPilots.com or follow the Pilots on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @BUPilots or YouTube at /BethelSportsNetwork.
